Sustainable Living Through Art: A Creative Residency in Izmit
On December 15-16, 2024, the “Sustainable Living Through Art” residency program unfolded in İzmit, bringing together 16 talented artists to explore the transformative power of art in addressing ecological challenges. Organized by the Sustainable Women’s Art Cooperative (SUSAKO) and the UK-based TB Cultural and Creative Industries Centre (C4CCI), with support from the British Council’s Creative Collaborations Grant Program, this inspiring initiative bridged art and sustainability in an innovative and impactful way.
Curated by Dr. Ayla Torun, director of the TB Cultural and Creative Industries Centre, the residency focused on reimagining industrial waste as artistic materials and developing digital projects with sustainability themes. It provided a platform where artists could merge creativity and environmental consciousness to address pressing ecological issues.
Event Highlights
- Upcycled Art: Industrial waste was transformed into unique artworks through creative workshops, showcasing the potential of art to give new life to discarded materials.
- Digital Innovation: Digital artists explored sustainability themes, creating groundbreaking projects that merged art and technology to inspire greener futures.
- Collaborative Vision: The residency emphasized the synergy between creativity and sustainability, demonstrating the power of artistic expression to foster environmental awareness.
The works produced during the residency are set to be exhibited in Kocaeli, Istanbul, and London in March 2025, offering audiences in multiple cities the opportunity to engage with these thought-provoking pieces.
Participating Artists:
The residency featured an impressive lineup of upcycling and digital artists who brought their unique perspectives to the project:
Upcycling Artists
- Aliye Güngör
- Büşra Bulut Doğan
- Filiz Argun
- Filiz Kaya
- Hanife Altınay
- Munhan Batu
- Naciye Özdemir
- Nurhan Gündoğdu
- Saadet Uğuz
- Selma Erden
Digital Artists
- Alp Yüksel
- Ezgi Şen Atiker
- Gözde Betülay Yorulmaz
- Melisa Kılıç San
- Özüm Naz Çelik
- Sema Özevin
Curatorial Vision
Dr. Ayla Torun, whose expertise and vision shaped the program, emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue between art and sustainability. “This residency demonstrates how creativity can inspire solutions to global challenges. It’s a vital conversation between artists, their materials, and the world around them,” she noted.
The “Sustainable Living Through Art” residency exemplifies the powerful role art can play in driving social and environmental change. As the project continues with its upcoming exhibitions, it aims to inspire audiences to rethink the relationship between art, sustainability, and their daily lives.
This initiative not only celebrates the creative potential of art but also underscores its ability to address some of the most pressing issues of our time, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience it.
